YMCA Pickleball

Fun, Fast-Paced, and Inclusive

A Dynamic Paddle Sport for All Ages and Skill Levels, Played Indoors and Outdoors

Pickleball is a fun, fast-paced paddle sport for all ages and skill levels. With simple rules, it’s easy for beginners to learn but can become competitive for experienced players. Combining elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, it’s played on a badminton-sized court with a modified tennis net. Using paddles and plastic balls with holes, pickleball can be played as singles or doubles, both indoors and outdoors.

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Pickleball

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Pickleball

How To Play

Ever played before? You picked the right time to start. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, and it is easy to learn. Most first-timers are rallying within their first session.
Here’s the quick start:
  • The court is about a third the size of a tennis court.
  • The ball is plastic with holes, similar to a wiffle ball.
  • The paddle is solid (no strings) and smaller than a tennis racquet.
  • Most points are played at the kitchen line, a 7-foot no-volley zone in front of the net.
  • Games go to 11, win by 2. Doubles is the most common format.
Show up during any open play hour at your nearest YMCA branch. Borrow a paddle at the front desk, find a court, and someone will rally with you. The pickleball community is famously welcoming to beginners.

Bell Road YMCA

Address:
2435 Bell Rd, Montgomery, AL 36117

Hours:
Monday – Friday
4:30am – 7:45pm
Saturdays
8:00am -3:00pm
Sundays
1:00pm-5:00pm
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East YMCA

Address:
3407 Pelzer Ave, Montgomery, AL 36109

Hours:
Monday-Friday
4:30am–11:00am / 1:30-6:30pm
Saturdays
8:00-Noon
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Grandview YMCA

Address:
4700 Camp Grandview Rd, Millbrook, AL 36054

Hours:
Monday-Wednesday-Friday

9:30am-12:30pm
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Grandview YMCA

Midtown YMCA

Address:
3455 Carter Hill Rd, Montgomery, AL 36111

Hours:
Monday-Friday
4:30am–11:00am / 1:30-6:30pm
Saturdays
8:00-Noon
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Wetumpka YMCA

Address:
200 Red Eagle Dr, Wetumpka, AL 36092

Hours:
Monday-Friday
4:30am–11:00am / 1:30-6:30pm
Saturdays
8:00-Noon
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Wilson YMCA

Address:
1445 Wilson Park Dr, Montgomery, AL 36117

Hours:
Monday-Friday
4:30am–11:00am / 1:30-6:30pm
Saturdays
8:00-Noon
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17 Springs

Address:
2021 AL-14, Millbrook, AL 36054

Hours:
Tennis and Pickleball:
Sunday-Saturday
7:30am to 9:00pm
Court lights are available at dusk. Other facilities for event rental only/ not open to the public.
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Parent Questions

Cost, ages, coaches, and more

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It's played on a court about a third the size of a tennis court, with a solid paddle and a plastic ball with holes. Games typically go to 11 points, and most players play doubles. It's the fastest-growing sport in America and easy to pick up at any age.
The basics: serve underhand from behind the baseline, the ball must bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed (the two-bounce rule), and you can't volley from the kitchen (the 7-foot zone in front of the net). Games go to 11, win by 2. Only the serving team can score. Show up to any YMCA open play hour and someone will walk you through the rest.
Beginner paddles are usually lightweight (7 to 8 ounces), with a larger sweet spot and medium grip size. Try a few before buying. The YMCA keeps loaner paddles at every branch front desk, so you can borrow one and figure out what feels right before you spend money on your own.
Y members get unlimited court access during open play hours at no extra cost. Day passes are available for guests at most branches. Financial assistance is available for families who qualify. Stop by the front desk at your nearest branch for current pricing.
The YMCA of Greater Montgomery has 7 locations with pickleball courts: Bell Road YMCA, East Family YMCA, Grandview Family YMCA, Midtown YMCA, Wetumpka YMCA, James W. Wilson Jr. YMCA, and 17 Springs Sports Complex in Millbrook. Court access is included with Y membership. See the schedule for each location above.
Indoor pickleball uses a softer plastic ball with bigger holes, designed for slower play in climate-controlled gyms. Outdoor courts use a harder ball with smaller holes that handles wind better. Strategy shifts too: outdoor rewards more pace and topspin, indoor rewards touch and placement. The Y has 6 indoor locations across Montgomery and Wetumpka, plus 1 outdoor venue at 17 Springs Sports Complex in Millbrook.
Pickleball uses a smaller court, a paddle instead of a strung racquet, and a plastic ball with holes. The pace is slower and rallies happen closer to the net. Tennis has bigger groundstrokes, harder serves, and longer baseline rallies. The Y offers both at Bell Road YMCA, so you can try one or the other. Many Y members play both in the same week.
YMCA of Greater Montgomery